The primary source of water pollution is stormwater runoff from agricultural land, developed land sources (including roads, parking lots, lawns, athletic fields, buildings, and industrial facilities), forest harvesting operations, and streambank erosion. This runoff delivers eroded soil and excess nutrients, such as phosphorus, to waterways, leading to harmful algal blooms and nuisance aquatic plant growth. When stormwater is absorbed into soil, it is filtered and ultimately replenishes aquifers or flows into streams and rivers. Impervious surfaces such as pavement and roofs prevent precipitation from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, water runs rapidly into storm drains, sewer systems and drainage ditches and can cause:
Habitat destruction
Stream bank erosion
Downstream flooding
Infrastructure damage
Contaminated streams, rivers and coastal water
Combined storm and sanitary sewer system overflows
Increased turbidity (muddiness created by stirred up sediment) from erosion
Barton Village Stormwater Improvements
MWA is working with the Trustees of Barton Village and Bannon Engineering to design a green stormwater infrastructure project to treat runoff from the downtown area. Currently, stormwater runoff from the village drains directly to Willoughby Brook and the Barton River. This project aims to divert runoff from the existing storm drains into an ecological stormwater treatment area on village land. Treatment will remove sediment, silt, nutrients, pathogens, and oil and grease from runoff before it enters our waterways. The site is also overgrown with invasive exotic knotweed, which will be removed before construction and managed to ensure it does not return. The project was awarded design funding from Watershed United Vermont’s (WUV) Design-Implementation Block Grant.
Glover Stormwater Improvements
MWA partnered with the Town of Glover and Orleans Central Supervisory Union to develop the Glover Green Stormwater Retrofit Project. Located at the Town Office and Elementary School in the village, this project will capture and infiltrate runoff from rooftops, parking lots, roads and hayfields to reduce sediment and phosphorus loading to the Barton River. The project was awarded design funding from The State of Vermont’s Natural Resources Conservation Council’s (NRCC) Design-Implementation Block Grant.
Newport Marina Stormwater Improvements
MWA is working with the City of Newport and Watershed Consulting Associates to construct a stormwater treatment wetland near the former Numia Medical Building and Newport Marina off Lake Road. A hydro-dynamic separator will remove sands and large debris from stormwater runoff, while a constructed gravel wetland will filter out pollutants like phosphorus, nitrogen, pathogens, and oil and grease. The project aims to remove up to 19 lbs. of phosphorus per year from a 62-acre drainage area. This project is funded through Watershed United Vermont’s (WUV) Design-Implementation Block Grant.